Turkey investigates claims that Saudis killed journalist

A Turkish police officer stands guard outside the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey October 9, 2018. Turkish police have told multiple outlets they believe he was murdered on the premises.

What's next: Erdogan's statement today suggests he is not keen on escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia - at least for now - and that Ankara is inclined to await the official outcome of the probe into Khashoggi's disappearance before making a decisive diplomatic move.

"Despite that, we have seen over the last few days various malicious leaks and grim rumors flying around about Jamal's whereabouts and fate", the statement says.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate.

"Jamal is not dead".

Khashoggi is believed to be one of the targets. Ms Cengiz wrote in a Twitter post that included a photo of Mr Khashoggi.

The Washington Post reports a Turkish investigation has revealed that a group of about 15 Saudi men traveled to Istanbul to kill Khashoggi as he visited the consulate.

While the Turkish authorities seem confident in their assessment that Khashoggi was indeed murdered, the United States administration, while exercising abundant discretion and caution, has said that they are monitoring the developments in Turkey and are yet, not in a position to confirm the death.

Two Turkish sources also confirmed Khashoggi's death, stressing he was killed inside the consulate.

Earlier reports said Turkish police were focusing on 15 Saudi citizens who came to Turkey on two airplanes on the day of the incident. "Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi".

On Wednesday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg News that Turkish authorities were welcome to search the building because "we have nothing to hide".

I have known Jamal Khashoggi for 18 years and although outspoken, he was not one to take unplanned risks. President Erdoğan of Turkey has left no stone unturned to expose Saudi Arabia for the "murder most foul" to assert Turkey's supremacy in the region.

Turkish officials have suggested Khashoggi was murdered.

Turkey would hope for backing from its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally, the US.

Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankara's rapprochement with the kingdom's arch-rival, Iran.

It would also put Britain directly at odds with the crown prince, who is a key United Kingdom ally.

The crown prince has unveiled reforms praised by the West while carrying out an apparent crackdown on dissent.

The issue threatens to strain the close relationship Prince Mohammed has forged with the Trump administration, which until now has been willing to turn a blind eye to alleged Saudi human rights violations in Yemen, where it leads a coalition bombing Houthi rebels that has killed thousands of civilians.

In March, the State Department approved a $670 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia, part of a promised $110 billion in deals touted by Trump after his first presidential trip to the Saudi capital a year ago. He said that senior state officials have been in communication with Riyadh.